Game apparatus



Sept. 14 1926. 1,599,579

M. MlLEwsKl GAME APPARATUS Originaf Filed Nov. 27, 19120v 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Uffa/7 /V//en/JAV Sept. 14 192e. 1,599,579

M. MILEWSKI GAME APPARATUS original Filed Nov. 27. 1920 4 Sheets-sheet'2 I N VE? TOR.

ATTORNEY.

Sept.14,1926. 1,599,579

M. MlLEWSKl GAME APPARATUS Original Filed Nov, 2, 1920 4 Sheets-Sheet 3MWVZVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Sept. 14, 192e.' 1599 579 I M. MILEWSKI GAME APARATUs Original FiledNov. 27, 1920 4 sheets-sheet 4 Nar/.bn 79 VMS Afl'I A TTORNEY,

IN V EN TOR..

Patented Sept, 1.4-, 1926. i

UNITED STATES Lassie Parana N ost-lcs MARION MILEWSKI, OF LEBANON,PENNSYLVANIA.

` GAME APPARATUS.

Reled for abandoned application Serial No. 42611, filed November 27,1920. This application filed April 19, 1926.

The invention relates to games designed to afford both recreation andamusement and particularly to games involving both the element of skilland chance. This application is a substitute for abandoned applicationSer. No. 426,811.

An object of the invention is to provide a game of the character'referred to, wherein at least two players may participate at the sametime, and without interference from one another. i

An additional object is to provide an apparatus wherein manuallyoperated means are employed for impelling game `pieces across a givenspace and towards selected score holes, means being provided forautomatically registering thescore as made.

Anadditional object is to provide a game apparatus wherein a shootingdevice is employed for impelling game pieces against the scoring device,the said apparatus ernbodying a tallying mechanism for recording theshots made and the games played.

The invention is capable of embodiment in a variety of forms, thatherein illustrated being one that has been found to be practicable, butis given only as .an example of the development of the generic idea.

llVith the aboveand other objects in view. the invention may be said toreside in the details of construction, combination and arrangement oparts as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out in detail, referencebeing' had to the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown in detail mypresent construction, said drawings, with the numerals ot referencemarked thereon forming a part of this specification, and in which-Figure 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus constructed in accordancewith the invention. Figure 2 is a vertical, longitudinal section takenon theline 2--2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 shows the manner in which the balls are arranged between theteeth of the rack.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view ozt the means forscoring.

Figures is a cross section of the scoring end of the game table asindicated by line of Figure 1, and disclosing the scoring-eyes.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken through the shootingdevice.

Figure 7 is a similar sectional rit-iw of the tallying device. r

serial No. 103,169.

Figure 8 is a detail View of thetally and operating lever, and

Figure 9 is a detail view of the shoe attachment for the table-leg.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughoutl the severalviews in which they appear.

While it is to be understood that the playing space may be likewise afloor or alley, it is, inthe vpreferred embodiment ot' the invention,comprised in a game table 1 constructed somewhat after the manner of apool or billiard table and similarly provided with stout undersupportsor legs 2, side cushions 3 and bed l. The surface of the table isapportioned oft into two playing surfaces or alleys 5 and 6. Thesealleys are enclosed bythe vertical frames or side rails 7, Awhichconverge in a triangle at their forward ends, as indicated at 5 and 6',the rear ends of the spaces being closed by a common receiving chamberextending transversely of one end of the table. Each alley is providedwith the flooring having the smooth and firm cloth-covered rollingsurface 9,

level throughout the major portion of its i length and slopingdownwardly at the receiving end of the table into a gutter or pit 10.This pit runs parallel with the end of the table and communicates withside gutters or channels 11, parallel with the sides of the table asindicated. These gutters provide for the return of the game pieces fromthe receiving chamber. The table may be built level and is giventhenecessary slant for thereturn roll of the game pieces from the receivingchamber, by means ont shoesvQ/ which t onto the end oit' the hind orrear legs of the table. These shoes are, preferably, triangular, asindicated iin Figure 9, and conform to the preferred shape of thetable-leg, lbeing provided with a central recess or pocket in which thelegs rest. When the slices are in place, the table is accordingly slopedso that whenl a game piece enters the pit, it will `roll easily toeither side-gutter, both oll which lead toward the front or shooting endof the table.

Arranged over the pit is a receiving chamber which comprises a small,narrow, boxlike affair, having the back wall 12 located in the rear ofthe pit andthe front wall 13 mounted upon the sloping end of the alley,an appreciable distance forwardly of the pit,1 A top plate 14ereiner/ably fastened te the l'lll lill li L

walls forms a removable cover for the receiving chamber. The front wallhas a se ries of openings therein adjacent the lower edge, as indicatedat 15 to provide entrances into the chamber and to pit 10. There may beany number of these entrance openings desired, and arranged between eachpair of openings is a forwardly projecting guide rail or linger 16. Thespaces between the guide rails provide short alley ways leading directlyto the openings and of a width slightly exceeding the uniform diameterof the game pieces so as to require a certain amount of skill as well aschance in impelling a game piece cushioned at the tip and along thesides, as indicated at 17, to withstand the impact of game piecesstriking thereagainst without danger of breakage or distortion, and alsocloth-covered to harmonize with the cloth-covered alley.

Within the receiving chamber is mounted the scoring device whichincludes elongated scoring-eyes 18 mounted to slide back and forthwithin eye-blocks 19 arranged just above and rearwardly of each chamberopening or score-hole 15. Each alley way and score hole is thus providedwith its own individual scoring element, operating independently of thescoring element of the other opening and alley-way. The eye-block 19 isbored longitudinally through opposite ends to provide a socket 2O forthis scoring eye, and slots 21 and 22 communicate with the socket asshown. A yieldable element in the nature of a flat spring 23 is fastenedto the eye-block with a portion flexed downwardly through block 19 andbearing upon the scoring eye to hold it firm and steady in place.Disposed within the chamber, on opposite sides of the pit 10 and restingsnugly up against the front and rear walls thereof, are supportingblocks 24 and 25. These blocks support the eye block 19 and are eachformed with horizontally extending shoulders or seats 26 upon which; theends of the eye blocks rest. Supporting block 24 has an openingregistering with the socket 2O to permit the scoring eye to be projectedfor wardly and the rear supporting block has either an opening or arecess 27 registering with the socket to receive the rear end of thescoring eye when the latter is pushed inwardly. This permits thedepending arm 28 of the latter to be dispose-d suiliciently to one sideof the pit 10 as to be out of the path of the game pieces rollingtherein. A vertically extending groove 29 is formed below recess 27, onthe inside of the block to accommodate the arm. The arm depends rigidlyfrom the scoring eye through slot 22 and rearwardly of the opening 15 soas to hang directly in the path of a gaine piece rolling through thealley way. The game piece strikes the arm and slides the scoring eyeback out of the eye-opening of the front chamber-wall, as it rolls oninto the pit; the spring 23 yielding to the force of the impact.Suitable means 30 are provided on the arm for cushioning the strikingimpact of the game pieces and preventing injury to the arm. The scoringeyes, which may be of ivory or other suitable substance are numbered asillustrated in Figure 5 of the draw ing to denote the scoring value ofthe various alleyways, which scoring value may be set at any amountdesired. rthe eye openings of the front wall 13 through which thenumbered ends of the scoring eyes are visible, are framed by annularwashers 31 which provide supporting frames for holding` transparentpanels or covering for they scoring eyes. In their correct position, thescoring eyes are projected forwardly in the socket and are clearlyvisible through the eye openings but when slid backwardly as a gamev lpiece strikes the arm, the scoring eye becomes invisible and the eyeopening is then said to become vacant or blind. rihe points are scoredin the proportion that the eyes are blinded The scoring device isreadily removable from the receiving chamber and may be eitherconstructed of a single eye-block extending lengthwise of the chamberand resting upon front and rear supporting blocks, with the scoring eyesvfitted in a plurality of sockets formed in the single eye block or thedevice may be split up into separate eye blocks and supports, each beingseparate and distinct from the others and separately removable from thechamber. rlhe i.'

removable cover 14: when in place prevents tampering with the scoringdevice.

Associated with each playing spacey or alley is a spotting rack whichconsists of a cross head or stock 32 disposed horizontally between theside rails of the enclosing frame and provided with' triangular openings(not shown), into each of which lits an upper flared end of one of thevertically disposed, laterally spaced, rack teeth 34. The teeth arepreferably of hard rubber and also triangular in shape as indicated inFigure 3, being inserted into the opening from the top and held againstdisplacement by a top plate 33 subsequently fitted to the stock over theopening. In the normal or correct position of the rack, the bottom edgesof the teeth hang free of the flooringof the alley and the sphericalballs or game pieces 35 are arranged in the spaces between the teeth toprovide targets against which the cue-ball is forcibly driven. The sidesof the rack crosshead may be clothcovered to save the cue ball frominjury. rllhe width of the space is less than the diameter of thetarget-ball, which is inserted therein from the side facing` thealley-ways, thus making it impossible for a ball to slip through therack to the op posite side. A suitable number of spaces are provided tocorrespond with the alley ways lili;

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1 ,essere v of the receiving chamber so that when the balls are arrangedin the rack, there will be a ball opposed to each alley way. The ends ofthe rack are preferably hinged or pivoted in b ackets 36 of the siderails, so that it can be swung upwardly from the alley or playing spacewhenever desired. A stop 36 prevents the rack from swinging too far backtoward the cue-ball end of the same. The rack swings one way only, viz,toward the receiving chamber and a coil spring S at each end tends toyieldably and tensionably hold it down in place between the rails. Theend teeth of the rack or target holder are adapted to lit close upagainst the inside face of the adjacent side rail and also assist inholding the rack firmly in place between the rails during the playing ofthe gaine` At the apex of each triangular frame a tip or chair 37 formedand serves as a seat for a single game piece distinguished by color orotherwise from the other game pieces andr called for convenience thecueball. This chair serves to hold the cueball at the apex of thetriangular frame and is slotted, as at 38, to permit the gun-cue of theshooting device to strike the cue-ball without interference.

The mechanism consists of a gun having a plunger or cue 39 slidablymounted through the sectional gun barrel 40 and having at one end acue-tip 41 and at the other end an operating handle 42. The gun-barrelis composed of a dome-shaped casing forming the top and sides, and abase plate having 11p-standing end pieces flanged for connection to thedome casing as shown to advantage in Figure 6. The game table has twodepressions formed therein below the surface and providing recesses orcompartments 43 for housing the tallying mechanisms of the guns and overthe recesses are placed roofing plates 44 arranged flush with thesurface of the table. Over each of these plates a gun device is mountedfor pivotal movement, the base plate of the gun-barrel restinguponarcuate bearing guides 45 dise posed under opposite ends of the barreland rigidly fastened to plate 44. The guides and plate 44 arecorrespondingly slotted, as indicated at 46 in Figure l to provide slideways for the lugs 4.7 of the gun-barrel base plate; a washer 48 and pinlock 49 preventing the lug from pulling loose from the slide ways. Theseslide ways it is to be noted, are so arranged as to permit adjustment ofthe gun about a vertical axis or the shifting of movement when sightingthe cue for playingthe cue-ball against a target-ball. A collar 50 isrigidly mounted upon the cue and constitutes an abutment for one end ofa yieldable spring 5l and the other end ofthe spring bears against oneof the end pieces so that it iscompressed when handle 42 is drawn back.When the handle sreleasehthe reaction of the spring throws the cueforwardly so that it strikes the cue-ball with considerable force.Depending from the collar 50 is a socket portion 52 which receives oneend of a trigger 53. The trigger is vertically movable in the socket andis prevented from dropping out of the same by a cross rod which works ina slot formed transversely through the trigger. This arrangement 1s`indicated in the dotted line structure of Figure 6. A spring 54 normallytends to hold the trigger downwardly while bearing lugs proj ectingoutwardly from opposite sides of the trigger limit its upward movement.Both base plate and roofing plate are slotted to receive the trigger asshown at 56 and along opposite edges of the base-plate slot inclinedsurfaces 57 are provided and cooperate with the bearing lugs o-f thetrigger for raising the latter as the gun is cocked, and after thetallying mechanism has been operated thereby.

The tallying` mechanism is contained within a casing 58 which fits intorecess 43 and on one side of the gun. This casing is fastened to theroong plate as indicated at 59 and supports a pair of verticallydisposed shafts 60 and 61. 'Shaft 60 may be termed a shot-gear shaft andshaft 6l the gamegear shaft. The shot-gear shaft has a large ratchetwheel or gear 62 lreyedto revolve therewith and underlying the smallerratchet wheel 63 rigid with thev shaft 6i. Keyed to shaft 60, above theratchet wheel, is a single-tooth gear or dog 64 which engages thesmaller ratchet wheel or gamegear 63 once in every complete revolutionof the large wheel. A dial plate 65 is supported on the upper end ofshaft 6()k and is provided wit-h numbers ranging consecutiva ly from 1to l2 to correspond with the num ber of ratchet teeth. It is however,"to be understood that gears with more or less teeth or notches may beemployed and that in all cases the numbers of the dial correspond withthe number of ratchet teeth or notches. A pointer 66 is attached to theupl. l l) per end of shaft 60 and moves in a circle if overa dial faceG7, painted or otherwise formed on the bottom'wall of the dial case intotwo compartments for separately housing the two dial faces and as may beclearly understood from Figure 7, the uppermost housing 69 is open andthe dial face clearly visible through the opening, while the lowerhousing TO has merely a sight open--` ing 7l through which the dialnumbers are visible one at a time as the shaft revolves. Arrangedbetween the trigger of the gun and the larger ratchet wheel 62 is anoperating lever 72. @ne end of this lever is fixed preferably aboutshaft 5G as a pivot, and the other end terminates in a trip arm 7 3disposed in the path of the trigger when the latter is drawn back incooking the gun. A spring pressed pawl 74 arranged on the underside ofthe operating lever normally engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 62and moves it up a notch as the operating lever is swung back. After thelever has been swung back the necessary distance, the lugs of thetrigger strike the inclined surfaces 57 and lift the trigger up and awayfrom the operating lever which is then drawn back to its originalposition by a resetting spring 7 5; the pawl, of course, riding over theratchet teeth. Stops 7 6 and 77 prevent any reverse rotation of theratchet wheel. Thus, every time the gun is drawn back for a shot, thestopgear G2 is moved up a notch with a corresponding movement of thepointer 6G which indicates or records the number of shots taken at anygiven time. Twelve shots ordinarily constitute a game and by the timethe shot gear has made a complete revolution, that is, has been movedtwelve times, the tooth gear 64 moves with the shaft and will haveengaged and moved the smaller or game gear but one notch; the numberappearing at the sight opening indicating that a corresponding number ofgames has thus been concluded. ln such a Way a correct tally is kept ofthis number of games play-ed in any series and also a record of theshots taken.

ln the playing of the game, the spotting rack is filled with balls andthe cue-ball is seated in the chair in front of the gun. The object ofthe game is to drive all or as many as possible of the balls from theArack into the alley ways respectively aligning therewith, a sight istak-en on one of the rack balls through the cue ball. Each rack ball maybe impelled only into the alley way corresponding thereto and is to bedriven from the rack by driving or shooting the cue ball against it. Thegame is usually started by shooting the cue ball against the center oneof the rack balls, in an effort to drive it into the centermost alleyway, after which the balls may be driven successively from one end ofthe rack.` In the present instance, the alley ways are given a rating of45 points each; the center one having tvvo values since itconstitutesthe first and fifth alley in the series. Unless the rack balli entersthe corresponding alley way no score is counted, while balls strikingagainst the guide rails and bounding back toward the rack are consideredas dead balls. and have no scoring value. rhese dead balls together withthose returning through the gutters may be subsequently replaced .in therack for the continuance of the game, it being recalled that a playerhas twelve shots in which to pile up scoring points. A game may belimited to any number of points de sired and the scoring values of' therespective alley Ways may be varied as desired.

The points scored upon the entrance of any game piece into an alley wayis automatically registered by the blinding of the scoring eye aspreviously explained. It is obvious that the character of the gameplayed may be varied from time to time and that. the use of the rack maybe dispensed with altogether if found undesirable,l by merely swingingit upwardly from the p1aying surface.

Associated with each triangular frame of the game table is a device forresetting the scoring eyes. This consists in a bar 7S resting in agroove formed transversely through supportingl blocks 25 and below theeye blocks; the ends of the bar being connected to operating rods 79slidably mounted thro-ugh brackets 80 and having hand grips 81 at theirfree ends so that they may be conveniently reciprocated back and forth.l/'lhen a player draws the operating rod towards himself, the resettingbar strikes against the arms of the scoring eyes and moves themforwardly until the numbered ends of the eyes are clearly visiblethrough their respective frames.

rllhe foregoing description and the accom panying drawings havereference to the preferred or approved embodiment of my invention. It isto be understood however', that such changes may be made in constructionand arrangement of parts, materials, dimensions, etc., as may proveexpedient and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

The present invention is allied with that shown in'iny applicationsSerial No. 375,001, filed April 19, 1920 and Serial No. 503,206, iiledSeptember 26, 1921.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is z- 1. In a game apparatus, a receivingchamber provided with a passageway having an entrance and an exit, ascoring eye slidable in the chamber, an arm extending froml the scoringeye into the entrance so that game pieces passing therethrough will abutthe arm so as to move the scoring eye, and cushion means on the eye.

2. In a game apparatus. a receiving chamber provided with a passagewayhaving an entrance and an exit, a scoring eye slidable in the receivingchamber` a spring element for preventing accidental movement of thescoring eye, and an arm extending from the scoring eye into the entranceof said chamber so that game pieces passing therethrough will abut thearm so as to move the scoring eye.

3. In a game apparatus, a receiving chamber provided with a passagewayhaving an entrance and an exit, a scoring eye slidable in the receivingchamber, a spring element for preventing accidental movement of thescoring eye, an arm extending from the scoring eye into the entrance sothat game pieces passing therethrough will abut the arm so as to movethe scoring` eye, and cushion means carried on the arm.

et. In a game apparatus having a rectangular surface, a receivingchamber extending widthwise at one end of the surface having a pluralityof entrances and an exit, scoring` eyes slidable in said chamber, armseXtending` from the scoring eyes into the entrances, and game piecesadapted to engage the arms to urge the` eyes rearwardly.

5. In a game apparatus having a flat rectangular surface tilted towardone enc lengthwise, a receiving chamber traversing the width of one endof the surface having entrances and an exit, the exit communicatingwithhe opposite end of the surface through a gutter, scoring eyes slidablerearward in Said chamber, one above each entrance, arms depending fromsaid eyes, and game pieces adapted to roll through the entranc-es andabout the arms to urge the eyes rearwardly.

6. In a game apparatusl having a rectangular surface tilted lengthwisetoward one end, a receiving chamber at the raised end extendingwidthwise and having entrances and an exit, part of the surface of theapparatus sloping toward the entrances, the exit communicating with theopposite end of the apparatus through a gutter, said chamber havingslotted sockets above the entrances, scoring eyes slidable in saidsockets, arms depending from said eyes, and spherical game piecesadapted to roll into the entrances and engage the arms to move the eyesrearwardly,

7. In a game apparatus, a rectangular surface tilted lengthwise towardone end, a receiving chamber at the raised end extending widthwise andhaving entrances and an exit, a `gutter extending longitudinally in saidchamber from end to end, part of the rectangular surface sloping towardthe entrance and merging into the gutter, said chamber having slottedsockets above the entrance, scoring eyes slidable in said sockets, armsdepending from said eyes, spherical game pieces adapted to roll intosaid gutter, and means for engaging said arms to move the scoring eyesforward after the latter have been urged inwardly.

S. In a game apparatus having a rectangular surface tilted lengthwisetoward one end, a receiving chamber at one end of the surface havingentrances and an exit, spherical game pieces, scoring eyes slidablymounted in said chamber, arms depending from said eyes, said eyes beingadapted to be urged rearwardly by the game pieces when the latter rollinto the entrances, a resetting bar mounted in said chamber beingadapted to engage the arms of the eyes to move the latter forwardly, andmeans for actuating said bar.

9. In a game apparatus having a rectangular surface tilted lengthwisetoward one end, a receiving chamber at one end of the surface havingentrances and an exit. spherical game pieces, scoring eyes slidablymounted in said chamber, arms depending from said eyes` said eyes beingadapted to be urged rearwardly by the game pieces when the latter rollinto the entrances, a resetting -bar mounted in said chamber beingadapted to engage i he arms of the eyes to move the latter forwardly,said bar extending longitudinally in said chamber rearward of the armsdepending from the eyes, and an operating rod attached to one end ofsaid bar for urging the latter forwardly when pulled.

IO. In game apparatus having a rectangular surface tilted lengthwisetoward one end, a receiving chamber at one end of the surface havingentrances and an exit, spherical game pieces, scoring eyes slidablymounted in said chamber, arms depending from said eyes, said eyes beingadapted to be urged rearwardly by the game pieces when the latter rollinto the entrances, a resetting bar mounted in said chamber beingadapted to engage the arms of the eyes to move the latter forwardly,said bar extending longitudinally in said chamber rearward of the armsdepending from the eyes, an operating rod attached to one end of saidbar for urging the latter forwardly when pulled, said bar being mountedin a groove passing longitudinalhr through the chamber, an operating rodextending from one end of the bar parallel to the length of therectangular surface and exterior of the playing surface, bracketssupporting said rod, and a hand grip at the far end of said rod foroperating the latten l1. A gam-e comprising a table having end and sidegutters, separate fenced-in playing spaces provided upon the table, areceiving chamber over the end gutter and accessible from both playingspaces, shooting devices associated with each playing space foriinpelling game pieces into the common receiving chamber, and meanswithin the chamber for separately indicating the individual scores madeat the two playing spaces.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MARION MILEVSKI.

